From ‘throning’ to ‘caspering’ and ‘shadow phasing’ – Gen Z dating terms are a minefield. How many do you know?
It can be challenging to comprehend the language of love, which ranges from caspering to throning.
We translate the most recent entries in the dating lexicon, whether you’re playing the field or looking for The One.
SLEDGING: As the temperature decreases, take caution.
People who engage in sledging prolong relationships they are no longer interested in for the sake of a seasonal fling.
They’ll be gone by spring.
THRONING: A person is guilty of throning if they date not out of love but rather to advance their reputation and social standing.
READ MORE ON GEN Z DATING
WAKEFISHING: Pretending to be socially conscious in order to attract a partner is known as “wokefishing,” which is a cousin of catfishing.
This is directed at you if you have hashtags like #EcoWarrior in your dating bio but your recycling bin is never full.
Keeping you out of your partner’s social group is known as “pocketing.”
You are being taken advantage of if you haven’t met their family and don’t spend time with their friends.
It can indicate that they are seeing someone else or that they do not see a future with you.
CASPERING: Ghosting, but more amiable, like that endearing ghost from a movie. Rather of abruptly cutting off contact, your date will respond intermittently and with evasive justifications until the relationship gradually deteriorates.
We’re Gen Z and hate working, quit every job and live with mums
REVENANTING: They come back just when you believe they are gone forever and you have moved on.
To gain your favor, they may apologize or make an excuse, or they may presume you are content to continue where you left off.
COLLABOR-DATING: Gen-Z singletons associate dating with content production.
Furthermore, collaborative dating involves more than just meeting someone you like; it also involves developing a relationship through common interests like making TikToks or playlists.
Every date turns into an artistic collaboration that combines likes and love into a single, visually appealing bundle.
FREAK MATCHING: It’s not as filthy as it seems, and it was inspired by artist Tinashe’s popular TikTok song Nasty.
Connecting with someone based on your common interests and peculiarities is known as freak matching. In 2025, expressing your actual strange self will be more important than conforming to a stereotype.
When someone teases their new spouse on social media without going completely public in the early stages of a relationship, this is known as “shadow phasing.”
As the couple discreetly strengthens their bond away from their screens, they will exchange glimpses—a cropped photo here, a handshake there.
FLEX DATING: Flex meet-ups are the best way to fit dating into Gen Z’s hectic schedules, who value impactful but casual interactions.
Read More on The US Sun
Consider brief, last-minute get-togethers with a common objective, such as working exercise, getting a smoothie, or doing errands.
Singles can get to know one another on these impromptu encounters without making a commitment.
Top reasons for sledging:
- To have someone to have sex with (60%)
- To have someone to cuddle with when it s cold (50%)
- To avoid feeling lonely in this magical time of year (40%)
- To avoid answering questions about being single (30%)
- To have someone to bring to Christmas and New Year s parties (20%)
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